GiftCard Partners Blog

Beacon technology has the potential to change the way we all shop. However, there is a "creepy" factor to knowing that stores are tracking your movements around their retail locations. So, some retailers are mixing a human element into beacon technology, and the results are surprisingly pleasant. Some retailers testing out beacons with messaging in either a native app or push messaging are using their employees as part of the beacon experience. Training employees on the beacon messaging and positioning employees in critical areas of the store allows employees to gain extra responsibility while improving the customer experience and removing the intrusive factor that beacons can present. Employee training on cutting edge technology provides professional development opportunities for your workforce and a unique chance for growth in the critical customer service area of your business. Offering small incentives like gift cards to employees who volunteer to step up and receive the training and take on extra responsibility is a great way to reinforce innovation at your organization. Think of beaconing as an opportunity to advance your workforce as well as advancing the technology in your stores. Head over to
MediaPost for more information.

In hoping to prove the value of whole grocery, Whole Foods Market is launching its first ad campaign this week. Crazy, right?

Carrots and sticks are a relatively old tactic in employee health and wellness programs. They are tried and true because they work. Carrots tend to prove to work better than sticks, but whether you choose to reward improved behavior and program engagement or provide (usually financial) disincentives for a lack of participation, these detractors and rewards work well to boost participation and results from employee healthy and wellness programs.
However, in analyzing effective tactics for employee health and wellness programs, we often overlook the most basic component of an employee health and wellness program. To be frank, it can feel intrusive for employees to have employers involved in their healthcare. Especially when dealing with sensitive topics like high cholesterol and weight loss, it can be intrusive for some employees to have employers involved, even if they are providing health care and insurance. In a recent study from the
Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 62% of employees felt it was inappropriate for employers to require workers to pay more for their health insurance premiums if they don’t participate in wellness programs. Additionally 74% said companies shouldn’t charge higher premiums if employees don’t achieve predetermined health goals. These two statistics bring employers back to basics and really require organizations to evaluate how they approach employee health and wellness programs. Will carrots or sticks work best for your company? Should employee health and wellness be a (strong) suggestion or a requirement for affordable coverage?
Read more from the Wall Street Journal.

Encouraging creativity among employees is vital for fostering innovation and driving organizational growth. When employees have the opportunity to express their creativity, it not only enhances individual development but also contributes to a dynamic and vibrant company culture. In this article, we'll explore the importance of employee creativity and provide practical strategies for promoting and harnessing creative potential in the workplace.

Disruptors may not be what you think of when you think of what you want to make your organization into. However, the guiding and
defining behavior characteristics of disruptors can lead to unprecedented innovation, improved productivity and a positive and fulfilled workforce. Motivating employees through three main traits can create a win-win for both employees and employers. Disagreement can be seen as a negative trait. It creates conflict and can drag out meetings and the making of decisions. However, disagreement can also lead employees to find the best way to complete a task or to challenge the status quo to improve processes. While too many disagreements can be combative, creating a culture where employees can feel free to disagree can create long term organizational improvements. Reframing problems help solve small issues that have a big impact. The key to reframing problems, according to
Malcolm Gladwell, is to see the full picture. Don't try to fix one piece of a broken process, but try to see the whole process in another way. Giving employees time to brainstorm and problem solve allows for creative thinking that gives employees the chance to make a lasting impact on the organization and gives them a mental break from their day-to-day responsibilities. Removing constraints is key to allowing innovation to take place. Employees should never be afraid to voice opinions or ideas. Employees should feel like their opinion is valued and that their disruption would almost always be positively received in the organization. Malcolm Gladwell is a leader in the field and is a disruptor in his own right. His endorsement of a disruptor culture is significant.
For more information on how to create a culture of disruption in your organization check out Inc.com.